Uganda: MP Ssekikuubo Removed from Museveni Rally After Clash With Kutesa
Tensions erupted during a rally in Sembabule Town Council on Sunday when Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikuubo attempted to seize the microphone during President Yoweri Museveni’s public address, leading to his forcible removal by presidential security.
The incident occurred shortly after former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa rallied support for President Museveni’s sole candidacy. When Kutesa invited State Minister for Health (General Duties) Hanifa Kawooya to speak, Ssekikuubo approached the podium, demanding to address the crowd.
Eyewitnesses reported that Kutesa tried to prevent the disruption, urging Ssekikuubo not to interfere. However, Ssekikuubo persisted, insisting he had the right to raise his constituents’ concerns. Presidential guards quickly intervened, lifting him from the venue as President Museveni and attendees looked on.
Speaking to journalists later, Ssekikuubo accused organizers of deliberately sidelining him: “There is a plan to oust me as MP and silence me from raising the real issues that our people are facing,” he said.
Despite the commotion, President Museveni proceeded with his keynote speech, focusing on strategies to boost agricultural productivity through irrigation, pasture planting, and the adoption of the Four-Acre Model for wealth creation.
Museveni praised Mawogola North MP Shartsi Musherure Kutesa for her efforts in promoting wealth initiatives and emphasized the need for smallholder farmers to utilize irrigation to combat drought and enhance food security.
Former minister Sam Kutesa warned against internal divisions within the NRM party, stressing the importance of unity behind President Museveni. Minister Hanifa Kawooya also thanked the President for prioritizing economic empowerment programs like the Parish Development Model and Emyooga.
The rally concluded without further incidents, but political observers noted that the morning fracas highlighted the ongoing tensions within Sembabule’s NRM leadership ahead of Uganda’s 2025 elections.
